Clasification Society Rulefinder 2020 - Version 9.33 - Fix
Common Structural Rules - Common Structural Rules for Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers, January 2019 - Part 2 Ship Types - Chapter 2 Oil Tankers - Section 1 General Arrangement Design - 4 Access Arrangements

4 Access Arrangements

4.1 Special requirements for oil tankers

4.1.1 Where a duct keel or pipe tunnel is fitted, provision is to be made for at least two exits to the open deck arranged at a maximum distance from each other. The duct keel or pipe tunnel is not to pass into machinery spaces. The aft access may lead from the pump room to the duct keel. Where an aft access is provided from the pump room to the duct keel, the access opening from the pump room to the duct keel is to be provided with an oil-tight cover plate or a watertight door.

Mechanical ventilation is to be provided and such spaces are to be sufficiently ventilated prior to entry. A notice board is to be fitted at each entrance to the pipe tunnel stating that before any attempt is made to enter, the ventilating fan must have been in operation for a sufficient period. In addition, the atmosphere in the tunnel is to be sampled by a gas monitor, and where an inert gas system is fitted in cargo tanks, an oxygen monitor is to be provided.

4.1.2 Where a watertight door is fitted in the pump room for access to the duct keel, the scantlings of the watertight door are to comply with the requirements of the individual Society and the following additional requirements:
  • a) The watertight door is to be capable of being manually closed from outside the main pump room entrance, in addition to bridge operation. A means of indicating whether the door is open or closed is to be provided locally and on the bridge.
  • b) A notice is to be affixed at each operating position to the effect that the watertight door is to be kept closed during normal operations of the ship, except when access to the pipe tunnel is required.

4.1.3 Special consideration is to be given to any proposals to fit permanent repair/maintenance access openings with oil-tight covers in cargo tank bulkheads. Attention is drawn to the relevant national regulations concerning load line and oil outflow aspects of such arrangements.

Parent topic: Section 1 General Arrangement Design
Copyright 2020 Clasification Society, International Maritime Organization, International Labour Organization or Maritime and Coastguard Agency. All rights reserved. Clasification Society, its affiliates and subsidiaries and their respective officers, employees or agents are, individually and collectively, referred to in this clause as 'Clasification Society'. Clasification Society Register assumes no responsibility and shall not be liable to any person for any loss, damage or expense caused by reliance on the information or advice in this document or howsoever provided, unless that person has signed a contract with the relevant Clasification Society entity for the provision of this information or advice and in that case any responsibility or liability is exclusively on the terms and conditions set out in that contract.